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Brabançonne)
The Brabançonne is the national anthem of Belgium. The anthem has both a Dutch and a French version, for the two major languages of the country.
History
According to legend, the Belgian national anthem was written in September 1830 by a young revolutionary called Jenneval, who read the lyrics during a meeting at the l'Aigle d'Or café.
Jenneval, whose real name was Alexandre Dechet (sometimes known as Louis-Alexandre Dechet), did in fact write the Brabançonne. He was at the time an actor at the theatre where, in August 1830, the revolution started which led to independence from the Netherlands. Jenneval died in the war of independence. François Van Campenhout composed the accompanying score and it was first performed in September 1830.
In 1860, Belgium formally adopted the song and music as its national anthem, although the prime minister at the time edited lyrics attacking the Dutch Prince of Orange.
Trivia
The Brabançonne is not only the name of the Belgian national anthem, it is also a monument on the Surlet de Chokiersquare in Brussels. The monument contains the partial lyrics of both the French and Dutch version of the anthem.
Lyrics
Official French-language text
- O Belgique, ô mère chérie,
- À toi nos coeurs, à toi nos bras,
- À toi notre sang, ô Patrie!
- Nous le jurons tous: tu vivras!
- Tu vivras toujours grande et belle
- Et ton invincible unité
- Aura pour devise immortelle:
- Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté! (3x)
Official Dutch-language text
- O dierbaar België, O heilig land der Vadren,
- Onze ziel en ons hart zijn u gewijd.
- Aanvaard ons kracht en bloed van ons adren,
- Wees ons doel in arbeid en in strijd.
- Bloei, o land, in eendracht niet te breken;
- Wees immer u zelf en ongeknecht,
- Het woord getrouw, dat ge onbevreesd moogt spreken,
- Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht. (3x)
Unofficial translation of the French lyrics
- O Belgium, O beloved mother,
- Thine our hearts, thine our arms,
- Thine our blood, o Fatherland!
- We all swear it: thou shalt live!
- Thou shalt live, ever great and beautiful
- And thy invincible unity
- Shall have for everlasting motto:
- The King, the Law, and Liberty!
Unofficial translation of the Dutch lyrics
- O beloved Belgium, O holy land of our Fathers
- Our souls and hearts to thee are consecrated.
- Accept our strength and the blood of our veins,
- Let our purpose be in work and struggle.
- Prosper, O country, in harmony unbreakable;
- Be forever thyself and never servile,
- True to the word that thou shouldst fearlessly declare:
- For Prince, for Freedom, and for Law.
External links
Last updated: 05-10-2005 01:51:35
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
